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Sometimes when you’re finishing a game (or editing an old one) you come across a character that’s a bit weak and you want to give them a bit more to do without making large changes to the rest of the game. Here are a few ideas for doing that without creating too much re-writing.

Give them a problem that, in order to solve, requires interacting with the other players. (Depending on the freeform, this may end up being a big rewrite, however.)

Make them friends with a second character - preferably one with lots of material. Give the weak character a goal to help the second character, and make sure that character knows that the first character is a friend. That way the second, stronger character should help draw the first into their game.

They could help another character (perhaps as a mentor or adviser). Or perhaps that other character has approached them asking for help.

Give them a reason to join (or find more about, or consider joining) some kind of group or society.

Take something from an over-busy character, such as a goal, or a small piece of plot. This will require a bit more rewriting as obviously the over-busy character will need amending.

Give them a resource (a skill, an item, knowledge, money) that is scarce in the game.

Give them a “character” goal – something that suits their character that doesn’t affect too many other things. Some examples (which obviously won’t apply to all games!):

They are an amateur hypnotist, with a useful ability to hypnotise people (and gives them a benefit).

They want to take photos with all the famous people present. Or want their photo taken with all the famous people present.

Commission a painting.

Get your book published.

Gamble.

Preach, or take confession.

A doctor or healer.

Dance with all the eligible young men at the ball.

Sometimes you don’t need to add something to the character – you just need to give other characters reason to interact with them. An easy way to do this is to provide a hint that they might be helpful in some way to the other characters.